The Sunset Sea is roamed by swordfish, seals, and whales, and Ironman's Bay and coastal regions are populated by various fish and shellfish.[3] It is unknown if legendary sea dragons exist in the sea.[4]

The ironborn of antiquity used their longships to dominate the western coast of Westeros, initially raiding the First Men of the green lands[3] but eventually turning to conquest in the era of driftwood kings.[4] During the reign of Qhored Hoare the ironborn controlled the western shore of Westeros from the Arbor to Bear Island, but his gains were gradually lost by his descendants.[8] The First Men of the continent eventually fought back with longships of their own and used stone fortifications to defend against the raiders,[4] and skilled Andal sailors accelerated the ironborn's fall.[9]